Rugby is the newest Olympic sport, just recently debuted in the 2016 summer Olympics. So who wouldn’t want to learn about it? And the best way to learn it is by playing.

Fort Hunt youth rugby is a fast-paced, exciting, highly participative, non-specialized, high-scoring, player-centered sport for high school boys and girls, 14-18 and youth/middle school boys and girls 9-13. Youth rugby emphasizes FUN and SAFETY (see our Philosophy and Health and Safety sections), running with the ball, running in support, passing, kicking, tackling. No matter what position he/she plays, every player gets to carry the ball, tackle and score, throughout the match. Everyone gets to score. Everyone plays offense and everyone plays defense, with continuous play making things dynamic and very fast-paced; there is no standing around. Everyone participates in all aspects of play, with very little player specialization. Our rugby players have fun, and that is a fundament aspect of our program.

Our rugby players become improved decisionmakers, learning to think quickly and independently about what is coming and what to do next, and how to support each other as play continues. We emphasize decisionmaking and team skills (offense, defense, scrums, lineouts, rucks, mauls (see our Rugby Lingo page) as well as discipline, respect, and sportsmanship (see our Philosophy section). Winning is fun, a lot more fun than losing, but it’s not the focus of our program. Our program’s primary objective is for players to have fun learning about and playing rugby, a sport they can play for their entire lifetime.

Youth rugby is a great way to get and stay in shape or get in shape. A player will leave the Fort Hunt Rugby program more fit and ready to go for the next activity. Players will stay active throughout the entire year with our activities, with two or three practices per week, and matches on weekends.

Fitness. Since most players are rugby novices, we choose to emphasize individual and game skill development, with the training and matches we undertake providing ample opportunities for exercise. Players who commit themselves to their team and the program will exit the program more fit than they began (the same is true for coaches!).

All Fort Hunt Rugby coaches must have current USA Rugby national coaching certification. Safety is our first priority.

The goal of the Fort Hunt Rugby program is an enduring Fort Hunt Rugby Football Club (RFC), an organization that fields viable, highly competitive teams. See more on our History and Future pages.

Our long-term vision is for young players involved in the program recently and currently to continue playing rugby as adults, then return to the area as college students and young adults and assist with coaching, and to come back to the area and to help coach in our program as permanent coaches. Ideally, Fort Hunt Rugby players will have their own kids in due time, and they will coach their kids in the Fort Hunt Rugby program, or somewhere out their in the Great Big World, contribute to or establish their own youth rugby program to foster the growth of this lifetime sport.

Tackle Rugby

Coaches will make a determination if a novice player is ready for tackle rugby, and they (coaches) will be the sole decisionmakers. Players must be able to safely control themselves in the match, for the safety of others and themselves.

Fort Hunt Rugby actively discourages the mindset of "the big hit." The tackle in rugby is designed for only one thing: to bring a ball carrier quickly to the ground so the ball will be released, with a competition for the ball and the opportunity to gain possession. A "big hit" is a tremendous waste of tackler energy, opens the tackler to injury and penalties, and usually does not lead to a tactical advantage. Slamming, throwing, spearing, lifting, one-arm shots, a shoulder shiv or charge, scrag/sling tackles, flying tackles and all contact above the line of the shoulders are monitored closely by referees, are strictly prohibited as dangerous play and will be dealt with immediately and strongly in training and in matches. All of these are dangerous to both tackler and ball carrier.

Contact resulting from foul play is very rare, with dangerous contact usually due to accident, or players forgetting their training or becoming carried away emotionally. We recognize this and are proactive, in training and in matches, to educate/train players and to keep this under control.

Make no mistake, tackle rugby is a highly intense, fast-paced, full-contact sport. Controlled and focused aggression and the precise and controlled use of physical force are integral aspects of play, and we will train in this. The Fort Hunt Rugby spirit is one in which, during the match we will play our opponents as hard as we possibly can, without compromise and within the Laws (and we expect the same), but before and after the match, we are all rugby players, and therefore mates.

Registration for the 2016-2017 rugby year is open!

Go to the site splash page for all links and info for high school rugby registration.

We expect all parents to volunteer to ensure the success of each team. Volunteer positions are: Assistant Coach, Assistant Referee (sideline judge), field preparation, social activities, and fundraising. If you choose not to volunteer, you may opt out for $50.00.

Scholarships are available for players in need. Ask a coach for instructions, or send an email to the club leadership.